The Introduction to Lay Leadership course invites Christians to live into their baptism identity as a follower of Jesus and share their gifts with their church and community. Each session is designed to help students explore topics relevant to leading the church today, including those who may be designed as Elders in the church. Through Scripture. theological reflection and missional thinking, students will emerge with a better understanding and confidence to participate fully in the life and work of their church.
Sessions
Calling, Baptism & Discipleship: The Invitation to Follow Jesus
Together, we explore our common identity as Christians found in God’s calling and baptism into the covenanted community we call the church. Following Jesus is at the heart of what it means to be a Christian, and in this first session we will explore the theological foundations for leading in the church in light of what Jesus has done for us in his life, ministry, death, resurrection and ascension.
Duration | 29 min
Prayer, Preaching and Praise: The Art of Worship Leadership
Lay leadership involves a wide variety of worship leadership tasks. For some leaders, they may read Scripture or offer prayers. Others may preach occasionally or often. Some lay leaders will lead the community in songs of praise or acts of reconciliation. In this second session, we will explore the theological and practical aspects of worship leadership for lay leaders today.
Duration | 34 min
The Lord’s Supper: Communion and Community for all God’s people
In the first session we explored the foundational nature of our Christian identity in Baptism. But we know that God provides not only the grace-filled welcome that begins our journey of faith, but also sustains us daily in our discipleship to Jesus. One of the ways that God’s grace is made visible is the nourishing presence of God in the celebration of Holy Communion. Lay leaders often assist in celebrating Communion and some take the sacrament to those unable to attend worship in person. Other lay leaders (Elders) can be authorized in their tradition to serve Communion when an Ordained Minister is not present. This third session will help lay leaders explore the theology and practice of The Lord’s Supper.
Duration | 38 min
Pastoral Care: The Practice of Compassion in the Name of Jesus
Sharing and showing the love of Jesus is such an important ministry of the church, often exercised by lay leaders. In this fourth session, we will explore the theological convictions that form our pastoral care for others in the name of Jesus, as well as reflect on best practices for those representing the church in the visitation of those in the church and community.
Duration | 38 min
Discerning Together: Forming Wise Leaders for the Whole Church
An essential part of lay leadership is helping to make wise and faithful decisions on behalf of the broader body of Christ we call the church. As a practice, discernment is a Christian discipline developed over time, under the direction of the Holy Spirit, and exercised in community. In this fifth session, we will explore the process and practice of leading the church in discernment that is honouring of God, people and all creation.
Duration | 29 min
Witness: Missional Discipleship for the Sake of the World
In this final session, we explore in depth the calling of the church to reflect the very nature of God’s character – being sent into the world to work for, and witness to, the redeeming and reconciling grace of God. Lay leaders will be equipped in theology and practice of forming Christian witness communities that continue to participate in God’s ongoing redemptive mission in the world. Together, we will discover our calling to be the hands, feet, heart, and voice of Christ where we live, work, and play.
Duration | 29 min
Instructor
Rev. Dr. Ross Lockhart, Ph.D.
Rev. Dr. Ross Lockhart (PhD, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam) is the Dean of St. Andrew’s Hall, the Presbyterian Church in Canada college at the University of British Columbia. Ross was the founding Director of the Centre for Missional Leadership in 2014 and has participated in the development of the ministry over the years.